FALLING pensions and care homes closing in Wokingham district is leading to a crisis in care for the elderly according to industry workers and councillors.

Growing numbers of pensioners in care homes are struggling to pay for their places as pensions go down and costs go up.

Latest figures show nursing and care homes in Wokingham can cost anywhere between £370 and £1,100 per week.

And with the average pension income at £8,320 a year according to the 2001 Census, and yearly care fees at as much as £25,000, there is a gaping shortfall.

Limited Government funds and assistance often means families have to sell their homes to pay the fees.

Cllr Iain Brown, deputy leader of Wokingham District Council said: “The picture is not rosy.

“I have every sympathy

for the people who find themselves unable to pay for their care as it will affect us all.

“The real problem is the lack of care homes and that has to be faced up to.

“The number of people needing care is growing and I am not sure councils are in the best position to address that totally.”

He said that the costs of implementing Euro-pean health and safety directives were crippling care homes and added that there could be a more generous taxation system to allow people to save for their retirement.

David Tanner from the Berkshire Association of Registered Care Homes confirmed that closing care homes in Berkshire was a real problem.

He said: “A lot of care home clients are funded fully or partly by Govern-ment and the local authority is not given enough money to pay for the care that’s given.

“A lot of homes not making profit cannot go on and there is pressure in Berkshire to sell because of the price of the land.”

He added recruitment was hard in the area because employment is high and wages are low which puts off a lot of people who enjoy the “fulfilling and reward-ing” profession

Around 545,000 people are resident in care homes in the UK, 70 per cent of whom are cared for by local authorities which contribute £450 a week to those with assets worth less than £19,500.

Lindsey Reader of Berkshire based Millfield Care Partnership, offering financial advice for those facing long spells in care, said families faced lots of stress over finances.

She said: “Local authorities are being given a rough ride but they do contribute to the cost of long-term care. “However it is means tested — which leaves it up to the individuals and their families to pay.

“This creates uncert-ainty for the family as the cost depends on the level of care needed which could change as the residents get older.

“Part of the problem is the ageing population meaning that there are not enough people paying taxes to cover the costs of care.”